PLAINS – Ruth M. Geisinger was born on October 29, 1925, on a farmstead southeast of Plains, Kansas, one of twin daughters of Olus and Myra (Klein) Vail and departed this life on November 21, 2007, after a lengthy illness at the age of 82 years and 23 days in Johnson, Kansas.

Ruth attended and graduated from Plains High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at the Plains State Bank until her marriage on March 12, 1947, to Forest Lee Geisinger in Kinsley, Kansas. To this union three children were born, Richard Lee, Vicki Lynn, and Clayton Olus. Ruth and Forest farmed in the Plains and Satanta area and in 1949, they moved to Lycan, Colorado. In the fall of 1953, they moved back to Plains to farm. Later, in 1972, after the death of Ruth's father, they moved back to Lycan where they have resided since.

While living in Plains, Ruth was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 104 for over fifty years, serving as a Past Worthy Matron. She was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed playing bridge with the B-4-2 Club while living in Plains, and on occasion when visiting in Plains after moving to Colorado. She was a member of the Plains United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School to young children with the help of Max Roberts for many years. During her years in Colorado, she was secretary of a local investment club and a member of the Buffalo Community Club. She enjoyed traveling when time allowed, gardening, and enjoyed reading.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 60 years, Forest Lee; her children, Rick and wife Loraine Geisnger of Walsh, Colorado; Vicki Cox and husband, Mike of Meade, Kansas; and Clayton and wife, Danita Geisinger of Holdrege, Nebraska. Ruth was blessed with 7 grandchildren; Michelle Scheer and husband, Rick of Goddard, Kansas; Justin Geisinger and wife, Laura of McClave, Colorado; Jennifer Godfrey of Meade, Kansas; Amy Mertens and husband, Todd of McPherson, Kansas; Heather Schlochtermeier and husband, Jason of Ellinwood, Kansas; Jayde and Keegan Geisinger of Holdrege, Nebraska; and 9 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Courtney, and Natalie Scheer, Ryan and Taylor Geisinger, Caden and Carson Godfrey, Breckyn Martens, and Madisyn Schlochtermeier. Ruth is also survived by her twin sister, Ruby Hamm of Plains, Kansas; a stepsister, Fonda Whitehead and husband, George of Walsh, Colorado; uncle Bill Klein and wife, Janice of Tribune, Kansas; and nephews, Terry Hamm of Liberal, Kansas; and Mike Hamm and wife, Jacque of Plains, Kansas.

Memorial services will be held Monday, November 26, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. MST at the First Baptist Church, Walsh, Colorado. Following on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. a memorial service will be held at the Plains United Methodist Church, Plains, Kansas, with the Reverend Terry Mayhew presiding. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, to sign the guest register. The casket will remain closed. Private family interment will be in the Plains Cemetery, Plains.

The family would welcome memorials to the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Plains United Methodist Church, or the First Baptist Church, Walsh, Colorado, in care of the mortuary.